Researchers developed a gene therapy strategy using parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells, which can differentiate into multiple tissue types and potentially reduce rejection problems. The approach shows promise for treating autosomal dominant diseases like Beta Thalassemia, tuberous sclerosis, or Huntington's disease
Ecologists developed a series of new methods to monitor stag beetle numbers using ginger lures and tiny microphones detecting larvae sounds. These methods offer promise for conserving this rare species by providing an accurate picture of its abundance.
Wildflowers with distinct colors prevent hybrid offspring from reproducing, ensuring the species remains pure. Researchers have identified a genetic change linked to flower color, demonstrating reinforcement in plants.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic describe the crucial initial steps of measles virus attachment to host cells, revealing a complex dance-like movement. The findings provide insight into the disease mechanism, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
A new study shows that Poo-Gloos can provide treatment that meets pollution-control requirements, reducing costs for towns outgrowing their waste-treatment lagoons. The devices consistently achieved high levels of treatment, reducing biological oxygen demand by up to 92%.
Early data suggests molecular medicine can restore normal retina architecture and improve visual function in severe cases of macular degeneration. Researchers are now calling for larger human trials to validate the approach's reliability and safety.
Astronomers have discovered a supermassive black hole in a nearby dwarf galaxy, Henize 2-10, which is thought to be one of the first galaxies to form in the early Universe. The finding suggests that supermassive black holes formed before their surrounding galaxies, challenging current understanding of galaxy evolution.
Researchers project a catastrophic climate collapse by 3000 due to unstoppable CO2 effects. Zero-emissions scenarios suggest the Northern Hemisphere will recover faster than the South.
A team of researchers used the Jülich supercomputer to unravel the structures of DVD materials, revealing a new understanding of the read and write processes. The study provides insight into the rapid phase change mechanisms, which could lead to improved storage materials with longer life, larger capacity, or shorter access times.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have confirmed a longstanding prediction that high-energy alpha particles will be key to generating fusion power in next-generation tokamaks. They found that LH waves, often used externally, can occur naturally in fusion plasmas and help exploit alpha particle energy.
Quality of life measures are most useful in breast cancer clinical trials using non-biomedical interventions. The authors recommend including QOL measures as secondary endpoints in adjuvant therapy trials for vulnerable populations or when minimal survival difference is expected.
Researchers at Rothamsted Research and ICARDA developed a method to account for spatial trend in single crop field trials, improving accuracy on line performance estimates. The new approach can significantly enhance precision in estimating crop yield and characteristics.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio found that resveratrol stimulates the expression of adiponectin, a hormone with wide-ranging benefits for obesity-related medical complications. This discovery provides important information on the development of novel therapeutic drugs for these diseases.
A lack of safety procedures was identified as a factor behind the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Norwegian regulation, which relies on internal control and trust between companies and unions, is more robust than the US model, with fewer near-accidents resulting in disasters.
The IUPUI School of Science has received a $943,000 NSF grant to establish an Undergraduate Research Mentoring in the Biological Sciences program. The two-year fellowships will provide students from underrepresented groups with research experience and mentorship in biosignaling.
A national survey found that 76% of people would take a predictive test to learn about their future health risks, with willingness to pay varying by disease type and accuracy. Respondents were more likely to pay for tests related to breast and prostate cancer, and were willing to alter lifestyle choices after receiving positive results.
Scientists have pinpointed the type of cell responsible for brain tumors known as oligodendrogliomas, a category of malignant brain tumors. The tumor originates in and spreads through glial progenitor cells, which are often referred to as 'daughter' cells of stem cells.
The University of California, Riverside has developed a seedless mandarin variety called Tango, which is virtually free from seeds and diseases. The fruit, created through an induced mutation process, boasts a deep orange color and tangy-sweet flavor.
Researchers found that nearly 95.6% of 3,271 civilian WTC survivors reported posttraumatic stress symptoms and 15% screened positive for PTSD two years after the disaster. The study identified five predictors of PTSD: late evacuation initiation, high floor exposure, dust cloud exposure, personal horror, and employer fatalities.
Scientists at Harvard University have made a groundbreaking discovery about biofilm colonies, which exhibit an unprecedented ability to repel liquids and vapors. The researchers believe that the secret to their resiliency lies in their unique liquid-repellent surface.
A new study by Stanford researchers found that many prescriptions for atypical antipsychotic medications lack strong evidence, yet these drugs can cause serious side effects like weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. The study also identified a significant amount of off-label use, with $6 billion spent on such prescriptions in 2008.
A study discovered a microRNA-TP53 circuit that explains the link between chromosome deletion and less aggressive forms of CLL. MicroRNAs miR-15a and miR-16-1 inhibit tumor-suppressing gene TP53, while its increased expression leads to indolent CLL. This mechanism may also contribute to chemotherapy resistance.
A study by St. Michael's Hospital researchers found that people with fatty liver disease are three times more likely to suffer a stroke than those without the condition. High levels of liver enzymes were also found in adults who had an acute stroke, suggesting a potential link between the two.
Holger Puchta aims to control inheritance in plants to improve crop properties using nature's existing gene pool and cutting-edge techniques like genome sequencing and DNA scissors. The ERC grant will support his five-year project.
Rice University researchers settle a long-standing controversy in polymer dynamics by proving that flexibility enhances the mobility of stiff filaments. The study shows that nanotubes and other fine filaments can navigate through crowded environments and fixed networks with ease, paving the way for new sensing technologies.
VIB-K.U. Leuven scientists have decoded a potential new anti-cancer mechanism by normalizing abnormal tumor blood vessels through HRG, which prevents metastasis and enhances chemotherapy efficiency. This mechanism offers alternative possibilities for cancer treatment.
A study published in BioScience finds strong correlations between energy consumption per person and gross domestic product per person across countries and over time. Researchers conclude that increasing energy supply is necessary to meet projected world population growth without compromising living standards.
Scientists from UT Health Science Center San Antonio discovered a relationship between phosphoinositide kinases and calcium ions in nerve cells, which could lead to treatments for neurological disorders. The study's findings have implications for epilepsy, stroke, dementia, hypertension, mental illness, and other diseases.
The American Mathematical Society will award numerous prestigious prizes to recognize outstanding achievements in mathematics. These awards include the AMS Steele Prize, which honors lifetime achievement and mathematical exposition.
Most college students fail to grasp fundamental scientific principles like the carbon cycle and conservation of matter, leading to inaccurate explanations and environmental issue ignorance. The study calls for improved teaching methods to enhance students' understanding of essential biological concepts.
A new study published in Science Translational Medicine found that a drug called AFQ056, developed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, showed promising results in treating Fragile X syndrome. The treatment improved symptoms in some patients with a specific DNA marker, and was well-tolerated without safety problems.
A Rice University researcher says the new logo could generate more brand loyalty among new customers in Asian markets, which tend to value collectivist and interdependent cultures. The study found that rounded logos are more acceptable in these cultures than angular ones.
A Jackson Laboratory research team has identified a mutation in a gene essential for correct protein-processing, which disrupts cellular development and growth. The study found that defects in the chaperone proteins lead to photoreceptor degeneration, central nervous system abnormalities, and male infertility.
Researchers identify a key process leading to brain cell death in Parkinson's disease, offering hope for slowing progression and diagnosis. Blocking this process preserves parkin function and spares neurons.
A Harvard Medical School study found that indirect media exposure, such as friends' TV viewing habits, is a significant factor in eating disorder symptoms among adolescent girls in Fiji. Social network exposure was linked to a 60% increase in high-level eating disorder symptoms, independent of individual viewing habits.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz identified a crucial molecule for blood stem cells' niche in the bone marrow, potentially improving transplant safety and efficiency. The study's findings may lead to safer and more effective treatment options for cancers like lymphoma and leukemia.
Researchers discovered that extinct ammonites had jaws and teeth adapted for eating small plankton using synchrotron scans. The study provides new insights into why ammonites went extinct 65.5 million years ago due to an asteroid impact.
A US study analyzed 26 school-based nutrition interventions, revealing that classroom nutrition education and parental involvement were the most commonly used components. The study emphasizes the importance of synthesizing findings to inform research and program development for effective childhood obesity prevention.
According to the study, posture plays a crucial role in determining whether people act as though they are really in charge. Adopting an expansive body posture activates a sense of power that produces behavioral changes independent of actual rank or hierarchical role in an organization. In contrast, recalling an experience of being in a...
Researchers create genetic sequences never seen in nature and produce substances sustaining life in cells almost as readily as natural proteins. The team's work represents a significant advance in synthetic biology, suggesting the construction of artificial genomes capable of sustaining cell life may be within reach.
Children with ADHD have difficulty focusing due to an 'off-switch' that requires higher incentives or medication to function properly. This study provides new insights into the brains of children with ADHD and how incentives can help them concentrate.
A research team led by Richard Waugh is investigating the reasons behind the limited attraction of white blood cells to injured tissue. They aim to develop pharmaceutical treatments that can modulate the response of white blood cells.
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered a core with an iron-rich center, resembling Earth's core, using array processing techniques on Apollo seismic data. The discovery sheds light on the lunar interior's composition and structure, providing insights into the Moon's ancient origins.
Scientists have discovered that narrow jets of plasma, known as spicules, shoot up from the Sun's surface and insert heated plasma into its outer atmosphere. This finding addresses a fundamental question in astrophysics and provides an observational challenge to existing theories of coronal heating.
Research suggests that developing biofuel from native perennials instead of corn in the Midwest's rolling grasslands would better protect threatened bird populations. The study found that bugs and birds thrive more in mixed prairie grasses than in corn, with twice as many species making their homes in grasses.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association granted Acceleron Pharma a $1.5 million award to support the clinical studies of ACE-031 in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients. The grant will enable gathering safe dosing and pharmacodynamic activity information vital to future studies.
SmartSignal's patented technology helps predict pump failures at nuclear facilities, later developed for power and oil & gas industries. GE acquisition aims to utilize its software and services to monitor machinery and equipment, analyze data, and diagnose problems proactively.
The North American Computational Linguistics Olympiad (NACLO) has received the LSA's 2011 Linguistics, Language and the Public Award for its impact on public awareness of linguistics. The competition, founded in 2006, identifies high school students with linguistic talent and acquaints them with computational linguistics.
A new study finds that extending data exclusivity periods would result in higher drug costs in the short term but also lead to more than 200 extra drug approvals. This could potentially increase life expectancy in several decades.
A study published in Liver Transplantation found that over half of liver transplant patients develop metabolic syndrome, a condition associated with obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. This increases their risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality, but not necessarily mortality itself.
Researchers develop method to treat stormwater in constructed wetland and store it in an aquifer, producing near potable water after treatment. The study demonstrates potential for sustainable water recycling through managed aquifer recharge schemes.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that losing the NFKBIA gene promotes glioblastoma multiforme growth and reduces survival. Restoring this gene may improve survival for certain patients with glioblastoma, as it inhibits tumor cell growth and increases sensitivity to chemotherapy.
Scientists in Japan have discovered a compound in tomatoes that enhances fatty acid oxidation and regulates hepatic lipid metabolism. The extract, 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid, has anti-dyslipidemic effects and can help prevent vascular diseases.
The discovery of gamma-ray flares in the Crab Nebula, powered by a rapidly spinning neutron star, challenges current theories on cosmic particle acceleration. The flares were caused by super-charged electrons of up to 10 peta-electron volts, 1,000 times more energetic than any man-made accelerator.
Researchers discover that jets of plasma shooting up from just above the Sun's surface are a major source of hot gas replenishing the corona. This finding addresses a fundamental question in astrophysics and provides new insight into the Sun's subtle influence on the Earth's upper atmosphere.
Research suggests that young people prioritize self-esteem over other enjoyable activities like sex, favorite foods, drinking alcohol, seeing a best friend or receiving a paycheck. This fixation on self-esteem may be problematic as it can lead to an unhealthy obsession with boosting one's self-worth.
A carbon swap bank could lead to genuine reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, according to Australian researchers. The concept allows for direct deposits of sequestered carbon and withdrawals of emission rights, bypassing issues with accurate measurement and international regulation.
A new study suggests that freshwater methane emissions impact the global balance of greenhouse gases, with a potential 25% change in net absorption rates. The research highlights the importance of including inland waters in carbon budgets, as they are more active in carbon processing than seas or land surfaces.
Researchers at UCLA have made a groundbreaking discovery about neuronal gap junctions, which could lead to new treatments for anxiety disorders like PTSD. The study found that blocking these gap junctions can disrupt critical rhythms in the brain region most involved in cognition, preventing fear memories from forming.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that slowing mitochondrial function in specific cells can extend the lifespan of an entire organism. The key finding is that a unique signal emanating from damaged mitochondria in nerve or gut cells extends lifespan, while disrupting this signal has no effect.